Columnist: Teresa Hill

Hill: Summer activities

It is such a wonderful time of the season. The Fourth of July has come and gone and summer is in full swing. Speaking of full swing, the golf swing can put a great deal of stress on the body. Golfers are quite unique in the actual swing of the club. Golfing involves what I like to call a violent rotational swing of the club while the feet are firmly planted on the ground.

It is in the deceleration of the swing phase when most injuries to the right shoulder can occur in the right-handed golfer. The follow-through portion of the swing can place undo stress on the acromial clavicular (AC) and sternal clavicular (SC) joints. The lumbar spine can be particularly affected and careful examination of this area of the body can provide a great deal of relief if pain and dysfunctions of the spine are noted. To avoid or minimize this stress on the neck or cervical spine during this deceleration phase, the head should remain still until the force of the swing brings the head up, so as to admire that beautiful hit. This rotational force can place a lot of stress on the back.

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The sternocleidomastoid muscle must be treated along with the subluxation or fixation of the vertebra.

The left lower extremity involving the foot, knee and hip can also be a cause of improper biomechanics and will be evaluated in your examination with your doctor of chiropractic. The rule here is the better the golfer, the more stress that is put on the left leg for you right-handed golfers.

Just like runners, swimmers, golfers, walkers, bicyclers and others, you should be aware that certain activities will cause stress on different areas of the body. A complete neurological and orthopedic examination should allow you and your doctor to determine how to strengthen and create flexibility within your body.

Adjustments, acupuncture, and physical therapy modalities can be used to reduce the pain, improve range of motion and improve circulation through the soft tissues.

As with any recreational sport or activity be sure to mention your particular activities to your doctor of chiropractic. Research has shown that certain sports allow certain joints to be more susceptible to injury. Your doctor of chiropractic can help evaluate your our spine and muscles in a particular position and determine the best course of treatment to stabilize your musculoskeletal system.

We have so much to be thankful for in this beautiful country of ours. Let's pray for the safety of our troops!

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